The Finnish District Court has set May 2025 as the trial date for Simon Ekpa, a prominent pro-Biafra agitator, charged with terrorism-related offences.
Ekpa, who was arrested in Finland on November 21 alongside four other individuals, is suspected of inciting violence and financing terror activities linked to the Biafran secessionist movement.
In a statement to Punch newspaper, Mikko Laaksonen, a Senior Detective Superintendent at Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation, confirmed that the investigation into Ekpa’s activities is still ongoing.
“The prosecution has been granted a deadline by the district court to present potential charges by May 2025,” Laaksonen said. He further noted that the exact details of the case could not be disclosed due to the sensitive nature of the investigation.
Simon Ekpa, a dual Nigerian-Finnish citizen and leader of the Autopilot faction of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has been accused of inciting violence in Nigeria’s southeastern region, which has seen a surge in attacks attributed to pro-Biafra militants.
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The Finnish police allege that Ekpa’s actions, including incitement through social media and funding terror-related activities, have fueled instability and civilian deaths in the region.
“The suspect is under investigation for public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent, among other charges,” Laaksonen added, noting that the alleged crimes were committed between August 2021 and November 2024 in Lahti, Finland.
Ekpa’s arrest follows sustained diplomatic pressure from the Nigerian government, which has been vocal in its demand for action against the separatist leader.
The Nigerian government had previously sought Ekpa’s extradition to face prosecution for his role in fomenting violence in Nigeria, especially through his repeated calls for sit-at-home orders in the southeast.
These illegal orders have resulted in the deaths of several civilians who were allegedly targeted by gunmen enforcing the restrictions.
A controversial figure, Ekpa has continued to use his social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), to advocate for Biafran independence and solicit funds for the cause.
His supporters argue that his actions are part of a legitimate struggle for self-determination, but Finnish authorities have linked him to activities that pose a threat to both Nigerian and international security.
The Finnish police also allege that Ekpa illegally collected money under the Finnish Money Collection Act, further complicating his legal troubles.
In response to his arrest, Ekpa’s faction within IPOB distanced itself from him, stating that he was never part of their group, despite his public claims of responsibility for several violent incidents.
The trial, expected to draw significant international attention, will be a critical test for both Finnish law and the global response to separatist movements.
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According to Laaksonen, both the Finnish authorities and the accused may seek to have the court re-evaluate the investigation timeline as the case progresses.
As of now, Ekpa remains in custody pending further hearings, with the possibility of additional hearings before the trial date. International cooperation has been confirmed as a key element of the ongoing investigation.
